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HIDDEN VALLEY CAMP
Freedom, Maine 04941
Peter & Meg Kassen - Directors
An International Children's
Community for 60 Years
Email:
summer@hiddenvalleycamp.com
Phone: 800-922-6737
From Overseas: 207-342-5177
Fax: 207-342-5685
Peter & Meg
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Peter & Meg - Directors of Hidden Valley Camp
"It was so lovely to meet you both, and see your beautiful camp! I was
so happy and so impressed with everyone I met and with the beautiful
facility. You two are the most gracious, loving couple. I am thrilled
to have my child spend her summers with you."- HVC Parent. Dear Camp Family, Thank you for your interest in Hidden Valley and its broad range of childrens summer programs. This page and others on the Web site represent the beginning of what we hope will be a meaningful relationship between your family and ours at camp. Here are steps you can take as we get to know one another: Carefully consult Hidden Valley Camp information as a family... In order to get a better feeling for Hidden Valley's unique atmosphere, programs and camp people, continue to check out our Web site. You can find News Reports from Camp about life here during the off season as well as last summer. Our printed materials and video DVD should also address most of your family's concerns. Click here to request a brochure and video DVD.  Meg and campers at her organic garden. In an increasingly complex world, a good summer camp - one that takes pride in meaningful values, a child-centered philosophy, and a rich sense of fun - can mean a great deal to a child and his or her family. We encourage you to call or email us so that we can discuss the ways in which, for many years, Hidden Valley has supported children's emerging identity and sense of independence. Pre-camp conversations are a great way to begin a child's relationship with an overnight camp and its directors. We live and work at camp year-round (you can find out a bit more about us on this page) and welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your child's individual needs and desires in anticipation of the camp experience. If you live in or near Maine, Boston, Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey, we can meet with you and your child during the winter months. Click here for info on these visits to central locations near you. We can also put you in touch with Hidden Valley families in your area. The recent summer season here was our most successful ever and we look forward to speaking with your family about Hidden Valley. Sincerely,  "You two have a deep respect for the children and their individuality and their need to learn to live peacefully together." - HVC Parent.  The Kassens' meeting with members of the camp counselor group. "I am in awe of
the energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and love that you both have for the
place, the camp... and that you can share what is also your own family
home with all of the Hidden Valley community and not lose touch with
your own daughters in the process... remarkable and generous." - HVC Parent. |
HVC TV
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Peter and Meg Video
INTRODUCING PETER & MEG KASSEN,
Hidden Valley Camp Owners/Directors
• Maine camp directors since 1981• HVC Directors since 1988
• Raising two children at HVC
• Over 20 years living at Hidden Valley
• Directors and sole owners of Hidden Valley
• Active in all aspects of camp's programs
Both Meg and Peter have spent over 30 summers camping in Maine and have owned and directed Hidden Valley since 1988. Prior to their years at Hidden Valley they directed other nearby programs. Peter and his brothers were campers at HVC and at other coed camps in Maine.
Peter and Meg are members of the American Camping Association and the Maine Youth Camping Foundation. They and their daughters live at camp year-round, devoting their full time energies to the direction of Hidden Valley. Depending on the season, they both enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, or canoeing in Maine's magnificent outdoors.
Peter about to begin one of HV's daily camp meetings.
Peter has a Master's degree from the Yale School of Organization and Management where he specialized in organizational behavior and helped found a volunteer small business consulting group. At Oberlin College, where he completed his undergraduate work, he studied anthropology and psychology. Peter has been a member of the faculty at nearby Unity College, teaching economics and small business development part-time.During the summer, along with the camp's five assistant directors, Peter oversees the varied teaching and program areas to ensure high standards of safety and content. Along with Meg, he provides ongoing staff training on a day to day basis. You can usually find him on the basketball court, swimming, visiting Tipi Village, or delivering packages in his prized 1946 pickup, the infamous Green Pig. (Click on the camera to see a surprise photograph!)
Meg has also been active in
camping since childhood. As a camp director, Meg talks with families,
assisting them in all aspects of their children's camp experience.
Along with Peter, she works closely with cabin counselors to help
individual campers adjust to camp life and consults daily with the
nursing staff, supervising camper health. Meg meets campers daily at
her organic garden (a.k.a. Planet Meg) where they pick vegetables for that evening's salad, or join her for trail hikes around camp.Meg received her Bachelor's degree from the Philadelphia University, specializing in textile design and fabric restoration. She also edited her college newspaper. Meg also has an advanced degree from Maine's Downeast School of Massage and is a certified Massage Therapist. A talented singer, Meg has performed with the New Haven Chorale and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood Festival Chorus. (Click on the camera to see a surprise photograph!)
Wintertime for the Kassen family.